New, simplified PUFL program FAQs

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Question: What is a Paid Up For Life Membership?

Answer: Paid Up For Life membership is a lifelong membership plan of The American Legion. It ensures you receive all the benefits of Legion membership for life. Lifetime membership is paid either in one payment giving you an immediate savings offer – or charged to your credit card in 12 equal monthly payments. Once you fulfill your membership dues, you’ll never pay another dime in American Legion membership dues.

Question: How is my cost calculated?

Answer: Starting on Jan. 1, 2014, The American Legion rolled out a new, simplified procedure and cost calculation formula.

Previous PUFL forms (printed in 2009) are still accepted if submitted; however most will find the new cost structure and incentives to be a better value.

Age is the primary component used in the new pricing structure. In most cases, post dues are NOT a factor in the calculation.

The cost is specifically calculated for you. Go to www.legion.org/join/PUFL to get your personalized Paid Up For Life offer.

Question: What if my post’s dues increase?

Answer: Being a Paid Up For Life member will protect you from any future dues increases at the post, department or national levels. That alone can save hundreds of dollars over the lifetime of your membership.

Question: What about my subscription to The American Legion Magazine and other member benefits?

Answer: As a Paid Up For Life member, you’ll have a life-time subscription, plus, you’ll receive all active benefits of American Legion membership for life. And once your lifetime membership dues are fulfilled, you’ll receive a permanent plastic card identifying you as a lifetime member. You’ll also receive an annual American Legion membership card each year.

Question: Am I eligible?

Answer: Anyone who is currently an American Legion member or who is eligible for membership may become a Paid Up For Life member.

Question: Why does Paid Up For Life seem to cost more than other organizations’ "life" memberships?

Answer: National Headquarters maintains a special Paid Up For Life Membership trust. Money from this trust can only be used to pay annual dues to your post, department and national headquarters. Each year the trust pays annual dues amounts to your post, department and national organization.

Though we can’t speak with authority on how other organizations set up their "life" memberships, they may not pay annual dues to the local, state and national organizations, resulting in a different cost structure.

Question: What if I want to transfer to another post?

Answer: You may transfer your Paid Up For Life membership to another participating post.

Question: How do I become a Paid Up For Life member?

Answer: It’s easy. Just go to www.legion.org/join/PUFL and enter your name and member ID. You can either choose to pay by credit card or print out the personalized form and mail it in with your check.

More in Membership & Post Activities

BAR JR.

While sitting in a Post meeting one of the members asked if the other member planning to change to PUFL been elected to at least 3 elected offices prior to. Is this in the A.L. Constitution? 3 elected offices before you qualify to apply for PUFL Membership. Can anyone please answer my question?

Paul Petty

Been a member, off and on; since retirement in '80... Enjoy visiting with "the guys" at happy hour; and am thoroughly impressed with their Military Funeral detail... Truly professional...
But; is that all there is to it? Haven't seen much else, and they demand $450 for a PUFL, at age 76; while the yearly dues are only $30... Where is the advantage in that; other than being annoyed by the yearly statements? How about setting up an account to draft my credit card or bank account yearly, and relieve me of those annoying statements, which I generally shred...

Richard Boblitz

For PUFL to be good financial choice you have to shop for a post that has low dues say 25.00 in Baltimore VS 40.00 in Annapolis and have a young age to hopefully beat the actuary charts of longevity and break even point. **American Legion leadership come up with a better program for your members because the PUFL is a sucker beat for most but not all****

Carey King

I am really appreciative of what the American Legion has done for me and other veterans like me. A special THANKS!! goes out to "Will Brown" my intrepid VSO of the Cleveland Ohio Regional Office American Legion. I have been fighting for my PTSD rating for the past 90 months. Prior to my 100% P&T rating I was rated at a combined rating of 50% that included various cervical and lumbar spinal cord injuries, and hypertension. Now with the added 70% rating for my PTSD and the "VA Math" I'm at 90% with IU that brought me up to 100% P&T. Now my children qualify for a college education, and medical insurance, I'm not sure why everyone is complaining about the PUFL membership fees considering all that the American Legion does besides the post activities/membership. I just paid for my PUFL Membership and at $1,020.00 including the $100 discout. That was a small price to pay for the representation I received just a few months ago at my DRO Review at the Cleveland RO. That $0.00 that I was asked to pay was a gift I will forever owe.

Joseph Forte

You push for membership, but come up with lame brained schemes such as the PUFL fees. My Post has LOST a minimum of twelve members all of whom bought Life Memberships in the Veterans of Foreign Wars. One case in mind is my grandson who is 27 yrs old. Your "bargain" deal with our Post dues being $32.00 is $1,399.00. He purchased his VFW Life Membership for $425.00. He has remained, probably for my sake, a member of the American Legion, but I would not guarantee for how long. The VFW's Life Membership fees, regardless of the amount of Post dues, are from $425.00 for age 30 and under to $170.00 for age 81 and older. There is something amiss with the Legion's way of thinking. I am over 85 years old and it would cost me more for a PUFL today than when I bought it some 35 years ago. "Viva le Legion".

Anonymous

After looking at the numbers on the chart from nebraskalegion that Sam Suro mentioned, I am convinced that the PUFL program is either for philanthropists or people who are bad at math. If you start earlier than age 41, you may end up a little ahead if you live as long as the actuarial tables predict. "Ahead" ignores any interest that the money could have made. I have completely talked myself out of the program and will not recommend it to any of our members.

gary v

The American Legion is like the government, the say they listen to veterans but in fact where money is concerned a deaf ear. I see very little if any positive about the PUFL program. It's a dead ringer for an AL tax on members who would like life membership.

Clint Moureau

Whoever came up with the PUFL has no concept of the time value of money. A typical PUFL fee of $1000 could be invested in a very safe bond at 5% and yield $50 a year forever without touching the $1000 principle. Since my dues are only $25 per year how is there any incentive for me to become a life member? Doing so would more than double my membership dues.

Bill Scott

Chuck Finley

I've got to agree. I love my Post, but just don't see any new members joining. I'm a Desert Storm and OIF vet, 46 yrs old, and the youngest member. You just can't recruit new people with fees this high. Even after me being a paying member of the Legion for over 15 years, I would have to pay over $ 1120 for a PUFL membership. I also believe in earlier comments, there is nowhere on your website where I can find how this number is calculated (no transparency).

Member At Large of American Legion

One of the later comments said to google nebraskalegion PUFL brochure. There on the second page it says they multiplied your post dues by 36 and that's how they got the number. It implies you will be a member for 36 years or less, I suppose so they can make money on this. That info came from 2009, but I think it still applies. I am a member-at-large (not affiliated with a post), and probably won't fall for this, either.

Leroy McCaul

IMHO, as a PUFL member, I believe this program would be better received if it were a "Perpetual" membership. In this weakening economic environment, I believe that more Legionnaires would be willing to participate if they knew their Department and Post would continue to receive their annual share after we pas on to Post Everlasting. This would help to ensure that our Posts would be there for our children and grandchildren. It is a shame that National is unable or unwilling to help the individual Posts by continuing to provide the Post with annual support after a member dies. I am confident that more would participate if they knew their money would help their Post and Department after they are gone. That is our Legacy to those who come after us.

MadMax24

I was considering the PUFL but changed my mind, when I saw there was no chart "up front" for me to review. In order to find out how much it would have cost me, I have to enter my name and Member Number. When a company or organization can't put their price out front, they are not getting my business.
I have been a Legion Member for nearly 30 years but I think I will just let my Membership expire this year. I haven't been in a Post in many years, partially because I worked overseas after leaving the military. Also, there is just no compelling reason to go. I will remain active in my DAV and VFW, but I will say, "adios," to the Legion.

Brian mCKINNON

After being a member since 1974(joined at Post 1 Paris France) and reading these posts I am embarrassed to think I would entertain a PUFL membership. I am glad I have let my membership lapse.
Also you should not need a quote for pricing it should be a price posted clearly on the web "no muss, no fuss". This organization has become a business whose only concerns are the financial egos of its officers, at all levels, and not about the members needs.

Jeff Barber

I fully agree!!! I've been a Legion member for 18 years now and my current PUFL would be $1,020 for my age of 42. At post dues of $30 per year, it would take 34 years to break even if post dues don't go up. I'd be 76yrs old!! I'm not sure if I'll live that long. Not to mention if I die next week, none of that money gets refunded. I fully agree this is a poorly conceived program that does not benefit its members. There’s got to be a reason National came up with this to only benefit them? Are they trying to make up for some other short comings?

K. Hall

Carl Pentland. . Click on Membership Renewal, Click Manage Your Membership, Click Paid up for life information, then Click here to start, Enter Member ID and last name, Click Get Offer. Your paid for life amount will appear. Hope this helps you.

RICH CURRAN

I would like to see a chart of age/post dues like previous years. without that we can't show-at-a-glance what PUFL costs! Would make it easier to advertise to our members and see whatever it is that you say is changed now.

Ken Hicks

Yes, I agree with you. As the 1st Vice Commander, membership is my primary job. And when asked about the PUFL program, I have nothing to show them. And amazing as it might seem, there are still people that do NOT have computers! Yes, paper is more expensive, but at least put a chart on the web-site that we can print out to show prospective members.

Brian Boschen

I have to agree completely with most of the previous postings. I received the quote for PUFL and was disappointed to find it so expensive. Dues would have to increase every year for me to ever break even. There is just no incentive to join this program. This is a poorly conceived program that benefits only the national organization, not the members.

K. Robert

A PUFL membership is not marketed as a DISCOUNT plan per se - anything but. It is a as I understand and as the PUFL application I completed as I turned . This was just prior to my Post increasing its per capita dues, which was followed in due course by multiple Department and National increases over the years. From that time to the present, The American Legion never came asking for new and additional monies to make up for a failing "discount membership plan" unlike, I understand, something that other VSO's were forced to do because of a poor plan. PUFL dues are factored on current rates at Post Department and National, not future rates. I have been able to pay the dues of several other legionnaires each year who are new or in financial difficulties. My participation in the PUFL program has been VERY rewarding to me and may be to you as well- in future years.

Max Roberts

I became a PUFL before the dues went up so high so I am one of the lucky ones. As for everyone else I agree that it is way too expensive and I would like to see a break down on how the money is being allocated. Asd far as the other VSO's They are much more on track as to their life membership dues. Come to think of it I would like to see just how the dues annual dues is being spent at National and Department.
Just my humble opinion.

Jim Howeth

There is no savings at all. Someone decided to increase the 12 month payment plan by approximately $100. They are financing nothing because it does not go into effect until your last payment. I honestly hope they fight for veterans rights better than they try to market this failing program

Russell Rogers

Check on my pufl dues and to my shock at 68 years old and dues 32.00a year it was $676.00. That is totally unfair
You are going to lose members and there is no advantage to becoming a life member.
As a total disabled veteran I have no money for this

Jim Mulder

In 1986 I paid life membership in the VFW $370.00 I am 68 and the legion is way out of line with life membership pricing.. If I live another 15 years that's $450.00. I doubt I will be around that long or be going to the legion that long, but it is way cheaper than a life membership.

Dave Heap

I totally agree with the other members, the PUFL is NO benefit for the individual who is investing now!! Why would anyone be enticed into doing this when it only benefits the organization at the top and not the individual member!! I agree with Rebecca, it is a TOTAL insult to veterans that make up this organization! A prime example of what happens when an organization gets top heavy (very much like our current government, wouldn't you say?)!! After 25 years, maybe it IS time to place our support in the VFW and other such organizations instead!

Steve Prusinski

George Randolph, Not everyone who applies for the American Legion that served in the military qualifies. No you don't have to be in an area of conflict or war, but you must have served at a time during a conflict or a war. As a rule of the thumb, if you received the National Defense Medal, you qualify. I don't know where you got the 1 day of active duty, but maybe it's wishful thinking on your part. If you don't believe that someone not in a war zone is not a veteran who faithfully served their country, you're sadly mistaken. I served during Vietnam and Desert Storm in the Navy. I was a vertical replenishment aircrewman in the Navy. I sent our boys food and mail. I never fired a shot. If you are a combat veteran, good for you. Where would you be without food, mail, ammo and USO to name a few? I have PTSD, the same as you, and service related injuries, just like you...why should you be so superior to anyone else? VFW sucks and you know it!

George

George Randolph

I tend to agree with Rebecca Jeffries comments above. I belong to the VFW and have been a Life Member with them for a number of years. The VFW is an organization with prestige as VFW members served in a combat zone versus just being in the military, with at least one day of active duty. It seems that the American Legion organization is failing more rapidly than the VFW, AMVETS, VVA, etc.

straffon

Donald K. Goodin

I agree with Mr. Pentland. Before entering into a life membership, I want to know what it costs. Reading between the lines of some of the other comments leads me to believe that the price of your life membership is exorbitant, compared to other military related organizations. Three of which follow:
AUSA - Age Dues
Under 55 $525
55-59 $425
60-64 $375
65-69 $300
70 and over $250
VFW - Fee
Through age 30 $425.00
31 - 40 $410.00
41 - 50 $375.00
51 - 60 $335.00
61 - 70 $290.00
71 - 80 $225.00
81 and over $170.00
DAV - Age and Amount
80 or older FREE
71 - 79 $140.00
61 - 70 $180.00
41 - 60 $230.00
40 or younger $250.00

Rebecca Jeffries

My PUFL fee is $1020! At age 44, assuming a $35 annual fee, it will take me 29 years to break even at which point I'll be age 73!! In what realm of logic does this seem like a good deal or any incentive to participate in this member-gouging program!! No thank you! In fact, I may cancel my annual membership all together. What an insult to American Legionaires!!

Paul Petty

Rebecca; that fee at your age was a bargian. I just checked on PUFL at age 76; and the answer was $450... At $30/yr it looks like I'm suppose to be around until 91.. Gawd, I hope not... LOL As you may imagine, I told 'em to go pound sand...

K. Robert

Robert Clark

The FAQs state "Age is the primary component used in the new pricing structure", yet at age 72 (and very ill) the PUFL for me is $550. What's up with this? If the Lord gives me ten more years I'll feel lucky and for 10 yearly dues that's $350. Where's the savings?

Clyde Fenster

GarryLee

I still refuse to get a life membership - I am a life member of the VVA, Amvets, DAV, etc. and the American Legion Life Time membership is three time - yes I did the enrollment process and that is too expensive for my blood which I gave for this country. Thank You but I'll continue with the $35.00 a year.

Tom Arnott

I'm 54 and my life expectancy by the CMA and SSA is 83. My $1000. American Legion dues paid via lifetime won't break even until I'm 93. Makes no sense, total greed run by people that don't understand simple economics and that people go elsewhere because the American Legion is over priced on lifetime memberships. If the lifetime trust were to gain 3% per year compounded, my lifetime fee paid this year would be around $600, not $1,000.